Home Local News Work Begins on Habitat Home in Hamlet

Work Begins on Habitat Home in Hamlet

Betty Lynn Warnock, Carla Liles, Christian Liles, and Tony "the Habitat Construction Dude" Laird Begin Work on Women Build Project in Hamlet
Photo by Amy Guinn

HAMLET — By the time they stopped work around 1 p.m. Thursday, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills’ Women Build had most of the sub-flooring completed.  It was the first day of volunteer construction on a home at the corner of Curtis Avenue and North Street in Hamlet; the foundation was poured the week prior.

 

Building Supervisor Tony Laird said they started with the floor joists and had all sub-flooring except for the kitchen area done by quitting time.  “This house … is going to be fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant,” Laird said.  The plans for the three-bedroom house include widening the doors and hallways as well as building ramps for the front and side. 

A building inspector visited the site earlier in the day and Laird said “We’ve passed all our inspections so far … that’s always a plus.” 

Christian Liles, chairperson for the Build fundraiser, said three of the volunteers who showed up were women. 

One of the “hardcore” volunteers, although he has moved, was in town on business and decided to pick up a hammer and get to work.  Ozie Felder – until recently of Dobbins Heights – now lives in Georgia and has helped on previous projects.  “I’m gonna help out every chance I get because it’s a good program,” he said. “People can own their own home at (an) affordable cost.” 

This will be the 15th home Habitat has built in Richmond County and the first Women Build project, though Executive Director Amie Fraley said Habitat has done others in Moore County.  

Fraley called the committee “rock stars.”  “They have had so many creative ideas on how to raise the money, so now is the fun part of seeing how the money gets to be used to build a house,” she said while at a fundraiser Thursday at Captain D’s. Other fundraisers include last month’s womanless beauty pageant and an upcoming wine tasting and putt-putt golf event.  “They’re just really going like gangbusters and it’s just been fun,” Fraley said. 

Recipients of Habitat homes do not get their dwellings for free. They purchase the home with a no-interest mortgage and have to put in “sweat equity” by working on their own home and helping build others.  The recipients of this home are Nikki and Ellis Pittman.  “He is usually out at our construction site,” Fraley said, adding that the wife, who is blind due to complications from diabetes, puts in a lot of her time at the Re-Store.  

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Although a group of “RVers” from across the U.S. and Canada are coming in later this month, Fraley said Habitat is still looking for volunteers for the project.

“We’ll be building every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and also an extra shift on Saturdays from noon to 5,” she said. “Saturday is a popular day for us.”  She said they’re looking for at least 10 volunteers each day. “We could definitely use many more,” she said.  Laird said the more “hands we can get the more we can get done, that’s for sure. 

While men are “certainly welcome,” Fraley said that the idea behind the Women Build program is to encourage women to come on out and volunteer at the construction site.  “You don’t have to bring anything out; all tools are here.  (Wear) closed-toe shoes, (but) other than that, just show up (and) sign a waiver,” said Liles. “Snacks and drinks are here; no experience necessary.” 

The home is expected to be finished in February. 

To volunteer, call the Habitat office at 910-295-1934.



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Managing Editor William R. Toler is an award-winning writer and photographer with experience in print, television and online media.